Feedback display for riflescope

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are disclosed that provide a riflescope with an internal display. In some embodiments, the riflescope may include a housing; an ocular system disposed within the housing; a reticle disposed within the housing and viewable through the ocular system; an adjustment knob coupled with the housing and the reticle, the adjustment knob configured to move the reticle; a position encoder configured to provide position data representing a relative position of the reticle relative to at least a portion of the riflescope; a display system providing a display viewable through the ocular system; a memory having ballistic information stored therein; and a processor coupled with the memory, the position encoder, and the display system. The processor may be configured to determine an adjustment value based on the position data and the ballistic information and provide the adjustment value to the display system for display.

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to a feedback display for ariflescope.

BACKGROUND

Shooters, whether they are police officers, soldiers, Olympic shooters,sportswomen and sportsmen, hunters, plinkers, or weekend enthusiastshave one common goal: hitting their target accurately and consistently.Accuracy and consistency in shooting depend in part on the skill of theshooter and on the construction of the firearm and projectile. At longranges, for example, in excess of 500 yards, the skill of the shooterand the consistency of the ammunition are often not enough to ensurethat the shooter will hit the target. As range increases, other factorscan affect the flight of the bullet and the point of impact down range.

One factor may be bullet drop, which is caused by the influence ofgravity on the moving bullet, and is characterized by a bullet pathwhich curves toward earth over long ranges. Therefore, to hit a targetat long range, it is necessary to elevate the barrel of the weapon, andthe aiming point, to adjust for bullet drop. Other factors, such aswind, Magnus effect (i.e., a lateral thrust exerted by wind on arotating bullet whose axis is perpendicular to the wind direction),projectile design, projectile spin, Coriolis effect, and theidiosyncrasies of the weapon or projectile can change the projectile'spath over long range. Such effects are generally referred to as“windage” effects. Therefore, for example, to hit a target at longrange, it may be necessary to correct for windage by moving the barrelof the weapon slightly to the left or the right to compensate forwindage effects. Thus, for example, in order to hit a target at longrange, the shooter must see the target, accurately estimate the range tothe target, estimate the effect of bullet drop and windage effects onthe projectile, and use this information to properly position the barrelof the firearm prior to squeezing the trigger.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention include a riflescope with an internaldisplay. In some embodiments, the riflescope may include a housing; anocular system disposed within the housing; a reticle disposed within thehousing and viewable through the ocular system; an adjustment knobcoupled with the housing and the reticle, the adjustment knob configuredto move the reticle; a position encoder configured to provide positiondata representing a relative position of the reticle relative to atleast a portion of the riflescope; a display system providing a displayviewable through the ocular system; a memory having ballisticinformation stored therein; and a processor coupled with the memory, theposition encoder, and the display system. The processor may beconfigured to determine an adjustment value based on the position dataand the ballistic information; and provide the adjustment value to thedisplay system for display.

Embodiments of the invention include a method for providing displayinformation within a riflescope. The method may include receivingprojectile ballistic information; receiving at a processor a reticleposition data; determining at the processor an adjustment value based onthe reticle position data and the ballistic information; and displayingthe adjustment value through an eyepiece of the riflescope. In someembodiments, the method may also include receiving a selection of aprojectile from a plurality of projectiles; and selecting the ballisticinformation from a plurality of ballistic information based on theselection of the projectile. The method may also include receivingatmospheric data from an atmospheric sensor; and adjusting theadjustment value based on the atmospheric data. The method may alsoinclude receiving inclination, azimuth, and/or cant data from one ormore sensors and adjusting the adjustment valued based on this data.

These illustrative embodiments are mentioned not to limit or define thedisclosure, but to provide examples to aid understanding thereof.Additional embodiments are discussed in the Detailed Description, andfurther description is provided there. Advantages offered by one or moreof the various embodiments may be further understood by examining thisspecification or by practicing one or more embodiments presented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentdisclosure are better understood when the following Detailed Descriptionis read with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a typical trajectory of a projectile.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example riflescope according to some embodimentsdescribed herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example view of a portion of a scope showing theeyepiece and the display according to some embodiments described herein.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a view that may be seen by a userlooking through the riflescope according to some embodiments describedherein.

FIG. 5 illustrates a diagram of an example elevation adjustment knob onthe riflescope according to some embodiments described herein.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-section view of the riflescope according to someembodiments described herein.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of the optics train according to someembodiments described herein.

FIG. 8 illustrates another example of the elevation adjustment knobaccording to some embodiments described herein.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a housing for the riflescope accordingto some embodiments described herein.

FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of electronic components for theriflescope according to some embodiments described herein.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an example process of determining anadjustment value for a riflescope according to at least one embodimentdescribed herein.

FIG. 12 shows an illustrative computational system for performingfunctionality to facilitate implementation of embodiments describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some embodiments described herein are directed toward a riflescope forlong range shooting with a feedback display, which aids in the placementof a projectile's point of impact. In some embodiments, the feedbackdisplay can be programmed to match the ballistic profile of the rifleand/or the projectile. The ballistic profile may encompass thecorrections required to compensate for the projectile's drop in thevertical plane and/or the deflection or drift in the horizontal plane.The projectile profile may be calculated in a number of different ways.

In some embodiments, a riflescope may include a display within theriflescope whereby a user may view both the target and at least some ofthe projectile profile information by looking into the riflescopewithout looking away from the target. In some embodiments, ballisticparameters may be applied to calculate a corrected firing solution basedon ambient conditions, view sight correction information inside theeyepiece, and/or adjust the elevation turret (and/or windage turret)while maintaining target sight through the scope.

Some embodiments described herein may display information easily,quickly, and readily to the user such that the user only has to lookthrough the eyepiece of the riflescope to acquire the target, see thesettings, make compensations as needed, and place the projectile quicklyand accurately on target. Some embodiments allow the user to makeadjustments to the elevation knob and/or windage knob while lookingthrough the eyepiece of the riflescope.

FIG. 1 illustrates a typical trajectory 105 of a projectile. Theprojectile may be fired from a rifle 110 along a bore centerline 115. Aline of sight 120 is the visual line of the aligned sight path.

In most rifles, the scope (or sight) is mounted above the rifle's borecenterline 115. Because of this and because the projectile begins todrop when it leaves the muzzle of the rifle 110, the bore may be angledupwards in relation to the line of sight so that the bullet will strikewhere the sight points after following its parabolic trajectory 105. Acritical zone 125 is an area of the bullet's path where it neither risesnor falls greater than specified dimensions. In some cases the specifieddimensions can be set at ±3″ to 8″ from the line of sight, althoughother dimensions may be used.

The zero range is the farthest distance at which the line of sight andthe projectile's path intersect. The maximum point blank range may bethe farthest distance at which the projectile's trajectory stays withinthe critical zone. For example, the maximum point blank range may be themaximum range at which you don't have to adjust your point of aim to hitthe target's vital zone.

Projectiles follow the roughly parabolic trajectory 105 due to the pullof gravity. These parabolas are not perfect because of the effects ofair resistance. Air resistance may be a function of the speed of theprojectile, the shape of the projectile, the composition of theprojectile, the air pressure, the temperature, the humidity, etc. Theshape of the trajectory 105 may also depend on the rifle's anglerelative to the horizontal when the projectile is expelled from therifle.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example riflescope 200 according to someembodiments described herein. The riflescope may include any design orconfiguration. The riflescope 200 is one example of a riflescope thatmay be used in embodiments described herein.

In some embodiments, the riflescope 200 may include various featuressuch as, for example, one or more of the following features: variablemagnification, an illuminated reticle located in the first focal plane,and an elevation adjustment knob 215, among others. The riflescope 200may include a main tube 210 within which a plurality of optical elementsare disposed. The riflescope may include an objective system 205disposed on one end of the main tube 210 and an ocular system 225disposed on the other end of the main tube 210. The riflescope may alsoinclude a magnification ring 230 that may be used to adjust the relativeposition of the various optical elements within the main tube 210 inorder to magnify objects viewed through the riflescope 200.

In some embodiments, the riflescope 200 may include a windage adjustmentknob 220 that may be used to adjust the horizontal angle between areticle within the scope and the riflescope 200.

In some embodiments, the riflescope 200 may include a parallax dial 235.Target focus and/or parallax correction may be accomplished using theparallax dial 235.

In some embodiments, the ocular system 225 may include an eyepiece 325through which the user may view a target through the riflescope 200. Insome embodiments, the ocular system 225 may be adjusted to correct forthe user's vision. The ocular system 225 may be rotated or adjusted tochange by the user to change the focus of the riflescope 200. In someembodiments, once adjusted, the ocular system 225 may be locked intoplace with a locking ring.

FIG. 3 illustrates the example ocular system 225 with an internaldisplay 305 of the riflescope 200 that includes the internal display 305according to some embodiments described herein. The ocular system 225may include a portion of the main tube 210 within which opticalcomponents may be placed.

A magnification selector 320 may also be provided that may be used toselect between various magnifications. A user, for example, may slide,rotate, press, or otherwise act on the magnification selector 320, whichmay change the focal length of any number of optical elements within theriflescope 200 and/or by changing, moving, replacing or translatingvarious optical elements within the riflescope 200.

The riflescope 200 may include a display system that includes theinternal display 305 and a mirror 310 disposed between the ocular system225 and a second focal plane 315. In some embodiments, the mirror 310may include a beam splitter or a prism or any other optical element. Themirror 310 may be positioned to reflect light from the internal display305 to the user's eye through the ocular system 225. The internaldisplay 305 may include an LCD display, an organic light-emitting diodedisplay, an e-ink display, a plasma display, a segment display, an LEDdisplay, an electroluminescent display, a plasma display, asurface-conduction electron-emitter display, a quantum dot display, etc.

Alternatively or additionally, the display system may include anelectronic lens or film that is placed on or over a lens of the ocularsystem 225 that displays feedback to the user.

In some embodiments, the display system may be dimmed or darkened to aidthe user in viewing the target and/or to save power. The digital displaymay be dimmed, for example, in response to a button being pressed by theuser through a user interface. Alternatively, the digital display mayonly be active in response to a button press.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a view 400 that may be seen by a userlooking through the riflescope 200 according to some embodimentsdescribed herein. The view 400 may be viewed by a user when lookingthrough the ocular system 225 of the riflescope 200. The view 400 mayinclude a scene view 405 of a scene that includes light from the scenethat has passed through the various optical elements within theriflescope 200.

In some embodiments, the scene view 405 may be overlaid with an image ofa reticle 415 in any shape or pattern. The reticle 415 may be placedwithin the first focal plane of the riflescope 200. In some embodiments,the view 400 may also include a display view 410 that includes lightfrom the internal display 305. In some embodiments, the display view 410may be viewed above the optical view or in any position relative to theoptical view. As shown in the figure, view 410 may provide data to theuser.

The display view 410 may present information to the user such as, forexample, elevation hold data, windage hold data, current verticaladjustment data, current horizontal adjustment data, wind compensationdata, line of sight data, horizontal equivalent distance data,environmental condition data, temperature data, atmospheric pressuredata, wind speed data, degrees of inclination data, cant correctiondata, left or right pitching of the rifle data, humidity data, batterypower data, system status information, ballistic information, compassbearing, GPS coordinates, etc. Various other data may be displayed inthe digital readout.

The reticle 415 may be constructed from optical material, such asoptical glass or plastic or similar transparent material, and/or maytake the form of a disc or wafer with substantially parallel sides. Thereticle 415 may, for example, be constructed from wire, spider web,nano-wires, an etching, or may be analog or digitally printed, or may beprojected (for example, on a surface) by, for example, a mirror, video,holographic projection, or other suitable means on one or more wafers ofmaterial. In some embodiments, the reticle 415 may be an illuminatedreticle. An illuminated reticle may be etched with the etching filled inwith a reflective material such as, for example, titanium oxide, thatilluminates when a light or diode powered by, for example, a battery,chemical, or photovoltaic source, is rheostatically switched on,compensating for increasing or decreasing light intensity.

In some embodiments, the illuminated reticle may include two or morewafers. Each wafer may include a different image, for example, one imagefor daylight viewing (that is, a primary reticle), and one image fornight viewing (that is, a secondary reticle). In a still furtherembodiment, if the shooter finds it undesirable to illuminate an entirereticle, since it might compromise optical night vision, the secondaryreticle may illuminate a reduced number of dots or lines.

In some embodiments, the reticle 415 may include two perpendicular mainlines crossing in the center of the field of view and/or a plurality ofsmaller ticks or dashes that perpendicularly cross the main lines.

FIG. 5 illustrates a diagram of an example adjustment knob 505 accordingto some embodiments described herein. The adjustment knob 505 may beused as the elevation adjustment knob 215 and/or the windage adjustmentknob 220. The adjustment knob 505 may include a position encoder 510that translates the position of the adjustment knob to a digital signal.The position encoder may include an optical, magnetic or mechanicalencoder. For example, the adjustment knob 505 may be coupled with theriflescope 200 through a threaded adjustment stem 515 that translatesaction of placement of the adjustment knob 505 to a lateral movement ofthe reticle 415. The threaded adjustment stem 515, for example, mayphysically move the reticle 415 when the adjustment knob is 215 isactivated, rotated, moved, etc. The reticle 415 may be positioned nearthe first focal plane or the second focal plane within the erectorsystem 520 that is disposed within the riflescope 200. The movement ofthe reticle 415, for example, may be based on the amount of rotation ofthe adjustment knob 505. When the user rotates the adjustment knob 505,the threaded adjustment stem 515 physically moves the reticle 415perpendicularly relative to the optical train. Thus, by turning theadjustment knob 505, the user may adjust the position of the reticleand/or aim of the riflescope.

The position encoder 510 may be a rotational encoder and may communicaterotation values with a processor (e.g., a processor 1020) such as, forexample, absolute static and/or dynamic rotational data, to theprocessor. The rotational data may be communicated to the processor inreal time and/or as the adjustment knob 505 is rotated.

The position encoder 510 may be a linear encoder and may communicatelinear values with a processor (e.g., a processor 1020) such as, forexample, absolute static and/or dynamic linear data, to the processor.The linear data may be communicated to the processor in real time and/oras the adjustment knob 505 is rotated.

The processor may use the position data from the adjustment knob such asthe rotational data and/or linear data from the rotary encoder or thelinear data from a linear encoder to determine an adjustment value suchas, for example, a vertical adjustment value, a horizontal adjustmentvalue, a shoot-to-range value, etc. The adjustment value may bepresented in angular units (e.g., moa, mil, etc.) or in lateraldimensions (e.g., feet, meters, yards, etc.) In some embodiments, theprocessor may determine an adjustment value using a ballistic profilelookup table that cross-references rotational data and/or linear datawith adjustment values. The ballistic profile lookup table may becreated using calibration data collected and/or created by range firingthe rifle with the riflescope in control conditions with the positionencoder 505 at various positions and thus providing different values ofthe rotational data and/or linear data from the adjustment knob 505and/or with a ballistics program. In some embodiments, the processor maycalculate an adjustment value (e.g., a shoot-to-range value) based onthe rotational data and/or linear data using any number of algorithmsand/or calibration data.

In some embodiments, one or more position encoders may be disposedwithin the body of the riflescope 200 to measure the displacement of thereticle 415. This position information may be used instead of or inconjunction with the angular adjustment data to determine an adjustmentvalue.

In some embodiments, each position of the position encoder 510 mayreturn a certain entry in a ballistic profile lookup table stored inmemory. Thus, in response to receiving rotational data and/or lineardata, the processor may look up corresponding adjustment values based onthe specific position of the position encoder 510.

The adjustment knob 505 shown in FIG. 5 may also be used as part of awindage adjustment knob 220 (or windage adjustment turret) and/or forany other adjustment knob or turret.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-section view of the riflescope 200 according tosome embodiments described herein. The riflescope 200 may include theocular system 225, the objective system 205, a focus lens 610, anerector spring 525, the elevation adjustment knob 215, the second focalplane 315, the reticle 415, and an erector system 605. The erectorsystem 605 (or erector tube) may include magnification lenses or lensstack. The erector spring 525 may provide a resistive force on theerector system 605 relative to the elevation adjustment knob 215 and/orthe windage adjustment knob. More than one erector spring may be used.

In some embodiments, the riflescope 200 may include at least fivesubsystems: optics train (FIG. 7), ocular system (FIG. 3), elevation andwindage adjustments (FIG. 8), housing (FIG. 9), and electronic systems(FIG. 10).

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of the optics train 700 according to someembodiments described herein. The optics train 700 may include theocular system 225, which is described in more detail in FIG. 3, and theobjective system 205. The optics train 700 may also include variousoptical elements 715 and the reticle 415. Various other lenses, filters,gratings, optical elements, splitters, etc. may be used.

FIG. 8 illustrates another example of the adjustment knob 505 accordingto some embodiments described herein. The adjustment knob 505 may becoupled with the position encoder 510 and the threaded adjustment stem515. As the adjustment knob 505 is rotated, the threaded adjustment stem515 is moved vertically upward or downward depending on the direction ofthe rotation of the adjustment knob 505. Moreover, as the adjustmentknob 505 is rotated, the position encoder 510 may translate the absolutestatic and/or the dynamic rotational data and/or linear data of theadjustment knob 505 into an electronic signal. The windage adjustmentknob may also be configured as shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a housing 900 for the riflescope 200according to some embodiments described herein. The housing 900 mayencase the optics train 700, which includes the ocular system 225 andthe objective system 205, the elevation adjustment knob 215, the windageadjustment knob 220 and/or various other optical and/or electroniccomponents. As shown in the figure, a battery 905 and a control module910 may be included within the housing. In some embodiments, the battery905 and the control module 910 may be enclosed within the housing 900.In some embodiments, the battery 905 and the control module 910 may becoupled with the exterior of the housing 900. The housing 900 may alsobe coupled with or include vertical adjustment knob 215 or any otheradjustment knob.

FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of electronic components for theriflescope 200 according to some embodiments described herein. Thecontrol module 910 may include a user interface 1010, data input 1015,the processor 1020, a memory 1025, a first sensor 1030, and a secondsensor 1035. The control module 910 may also include any or all of thecomponents of a computational system 1200 of FIG. 12.

The user interface 1010 may include a plurality of buttons, keys, knobs,displays, speakers, microphones, etc. Some components of the userinterface 1010 such as, for example, buttons, may be used to manuallyenter data such as, for example, wind data, display intensity data,reticle intensity data, ballistic profile data, ballistic coefficientdata, muzzle velocity data, primary zero data, static conditions of therifle-scope system, GPS coordinate data, compass coordinate data, sightabove bore data, etc. This data may be received by the processor 1020and saved into the memory 1025. The data may also be used by theprocessor 1020 to execute an algorithm and/or in an algorithm.

The data input 1015 may be a wired or wireless input and/or may includeany type of data transfer technology such as, for example, a USB port, amini USB port, a microSD slot, NFC transceiver, Bluetooth® transceiver,Firewire, a ZigBee transceiver, a Wi-Fi transceiver, etc. The data maybe inputted from a computer, laptop, GPS device, a rangefinder, tablet,or smartphone, etc. The processor 1020 may receive data from the datainput 1015 and store the data into the memory 1025. Data such ascalibration data, a ballistic profile lookup table that cross-referencesrotational data and/or linear data with shoot-to-range values, rifledata, projectile data, user data, etc. may be input through the datainput 1015.

The processor 1020 may be any type of processor known in the art thatmay receive inputs, execute algorithms and/or processes, etc. Theprocessor 1020 may include any or all components of the computationalsystem 1200. The processor 1020 may be used to control the variousprocesses, algorithms, and/or methods described herein. The processor1020 may control operation of the internal display 305 and/or thereticle 415. The processor 1020 may also receive inputs from the userinterface 1010, the data input 1015, the memory 1025, the sensor 1030,the sensor 1035, a position encoder 510, and/or from other sources.

The memory 1025 may include any type of digital data storage such as adisk drive, a drive array, an optical storage device, a solid-statestorage device, such as random access memory (“RAM”) and/or read-onlymemory (“ROM”), which can be programmable, flash-updateable, and/or thelike.

The sensor 1030 and the sensor 1035 may sense atmospheric conditionssuch as humidity, temperature, pressure, etc.; inclination; rifle cant(or inclination); and/or the sight direction of the rifle (compassdirection). While two sensors are shown, any number of sensors may beincluded. Sensor data may be recorded by the processor 1020 and savedinto the memory 1025.

The battery 905 may be connected to the control module 910 and/or theinternal display 305. In some embodiments, the battery may be directlycoupled with the reticle 415 and/or the position encoder 510. In someembodiments, the battery may also be directly coupled with the userinterface 1010, the sensor 1030, the sensor 1035, the memory 1025,and/or the data input 1015. The battery 905 may include any type ofbattery power source without limitation.

In some embodiments, the memory 1025 may be configured to store one ormore ballistic profile lookup tables that include data that can be usedto correct for the amount a bullet may drop over a given distance and/orthe horizontal deflection of the bullet. In some embodiments, theballistic profile lookup table of a projectile or a cartridge ofprojectiles may describe how quickly the bullet drops over a givendistance and/or how much deflection from horizontal winds the samebullet experiences over the same given distance. In some embodiments,the ballistic profile lookup table can include values generated from aballistic calculation using specific inputs that identify the rifle, theprojectile or the projectile cartridge, atmospheric conditions, etc. Insome embodiments, the ballistic profile lookup table may includeballistic coefficients for the projectile and/or the muzzle velocity ofthe bulletrifle.

In some embodiments, the processor may calculate real-time adjustmentvalues based on the ballistic data, atmospheric data, range data, cantdata, inclination data, etc.

In some embodiments, a wind measurement and/or estimate may be enteredand/or stored in the memory 1025. A horizontal correction may bedetermined based on this wind measurement and/or estimate and/or otherdata within the ballistic profile lookup table. In some embodiments, ahorizontal correction value may be determined and displayed to the userthrough the internal display 305. In some embodiments, the riflescopemay automatically make a windage correction by moving the reticle 415.

In some embodiments, atmospheric data may be input via the sensor 1030and/or the sensor 1035. Based on this atmospheric data, a ballisticprofile lookup table may be corrected, adjusted, and/or revised based onthe atmospheric data and/or data from the ballistic profile lookup tablemay be modified based on the atmospheric data. For example, the assumedair density of the ballistic profile for a specific projectile might notmatch the current air density in use. Based on the measured air density,the ballistic profile data may be modified.

In some embodiments, a plurality of ballistic profile lookup tables maybe stored in the memory 1025. For example, a ballistic profile lookuptable may be stored in the memory 1025 for a number of differentprojectiles. The user, through the user interface 1010, may indicate thetype of projectile currently being used and the corresponding ballisticprofile lookup table may be retrieved from the memory 1025 by theprocessor 1020. The data from the selected ballistic profile lookuptable may be used to determine an adjustment value for the specificprojectile.

In some embodiments, the processor 1020 may store data in the memory1025 about each shot taken by the user. This data may include all datadescribed herein. For example, when the rifle is fired, the processor1020 may store data from the sensor 1030 and the sensor 1035, GPScoordinates, range data, GPS coordinates of the rifle, GPS coordinatesof the target, time of day, a photograph or a video of the field of viewthrough the riflescope 200, and/or other views outside the devicedisplaying such things as the surroundings or operation of the weaponsystem or this invention, trigger pull, the user's pulse, the user'sbreathing, atmospheric data, humidity data, temperature data, airpressure data, etc.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an example process 1100 of determining anadjustment value for a riflescope according to at least one embodimentdescribed herein. One or more steps of the process 1100 may beimplemented, in some embodiments, by one or more components of theprocessor 1020 of FIG. 10. Although illustrated as discrete blocks,various blocks may be divided into additional blocks, combined intofewer blocks, or eliminated, depending on the desired implementation.

The process 1100 begins at block 1105. At block 1120, projectile datamay be received. This projectile data may include a ballistic profilelookup table. A specific ballistic profile lookup table may be retrievedfrom storage memory in response to the user entering information aboutthe projectile being used. Alternatively or additionally, the user mayinput the ballistic profile lookup table using a wired or wirelessconnection.

At block 1110 reticle position data may be received, for example, from adevice that measures the position and/or deflection of the reticle 415such as, for example, a position encoder 510 that is coupled with theelevation adjustment knob 215 or the windage adjustment knob 220, and/orone or more position sensors.

At block 1115 environmental data may be received. The environmental datamay be received, for example, from the sensor 1030, the sensor 1035, orfrom an external device, for example, through the user interface 1010 orthe data input 1015. The environmental data may include the range to thetarget, the humidity, the wind speed, the temperature, the atmosphericpressure, etc.

At block 1120 an adjustment value may be determined based on theprojectile data, the reticle position data, and/or the environmentaldata using the ballistic profile lookup table.

At block 1130 the adjustment value may be displayed to the user on theinternal display 305 that is visible through the riflescope to allow theuser to view the target while changing the reticle position using anadjustment knob. In some embodiments, as the user turns the adjustmentknob, the adjustment value may be recalculated based on the changedreticle position data, and the changed adjustment value may be displayedin real time on the display.

In some embodiments, a user may use a ballistics program on a computer,tablet, or smartphone to calculate a ballistic profile lookup table fora specified rifle, cartridge, and/or projectile. This information may besaved, for example, to a microSD card. The ballistic profile lookuptable may include and/or correlate a plurality of reticle positionvalues, a plurality of range adjustment values, and/or a plurality ofwindage correction values. The microSD card with the ballistic profilelookup table may be inserted into the microSD slot on the riflescope 200and the data may or may not be transferred to the memory 1025.Alternatively, the ballistic profile lookup table may be transferred tothe riflescope 200 with other wired or wireless techniques.

The riflescope control module may be turned on when the user presses abutton on the user interface 1010. In some embodiments, as the usermoves the elevation adjustment knob, a reticle position value may besent to the processor 1020. Using this reticle position value, theprocessor may look up a range adjustment value. The range adjustmentvalue may then be displayed on the internal display 305.

This range adjustment value may indicate the distance from the riflethat the projectile will impact at the reticle's vertical position. Arange finder may then be used to determine the distance to the target.The user may then adjust the elevation adjustment using the elevationadjustment knob 215 until the displayed value is the same as the valuemeasured by the range finder. For example, if the range finder reads 600yards, the user will adjust the elevation adjustment knob until theadjustment value is 600 yards.

As another example, the rifle may include a range finder that determinesthe actual distance to the target. Both the distance to the target andthe adjustment value may be displayed within the internal display 305 sothe user can view the field of view and both values simultaneously.

Alternatively or additionally, a windage adjustment value may also bedisplayed in the internal display 305. A wind meter may be used tomeasure the actual crosswind speed. Then, based on the actual distanceto the target, a windage adjustment value may be determined anddisplayed in the internal display 305. For example, for a10-mile-per-hour crosswind and a distance of 600 yards, the windageadjustment value may be 2 MOA. The windage adjustment value may alsodepend on the temperature, humidity, and/or atmospheric pressure and/orinclination. The windage adjustment value may then be displayed in theinternal display 305. The user may then manually move the rifle and/orreticle an amount similar to the adjustment value and/or the user mayturn a windage adjustment knob to move the reticle relative to the riflean amount corresponding to the windage adjustment value.

The computational system 1200 (or processing unit) illustrated in FIG.12 can be used to perform any of the embodiments of the invention. Forexample, the computational system 1200 can be used alone or inconjunction with other components. As another example, the computationalsystem 1200 can be used to perform any calculation, solve any equation,perform any identification, and/or make any determination describedhere. The computational system 1200 includes hardware elements that canbe electrically coupled via a bus 1205 (or may otherwise be incommunication, as appropriate). The hardware elements can include one ormore processors 1210, including, without limitation, one or moregeneral-purpose processors and/or one or more special-purpose processors(such as digital signal processing chips, graphics acceleration chips,and/or the like); one or more input devices 1215, which can include,without limitation, a mouse, a keyboard, and/or the like; and one ormore output devices 1220, which can include, without limitation, adisplay device, a printer, and/or the like.

The computational system 1200 may further include (and/or be incommunication with) one or more storage devices 1225, which can include,without limitation, local and/or network-accessible storage and/or caninclude, without limitation, a disk drive, a drive array, an opticalstorage device, a solid-state storage device, such as random accessmemory (“RAM”) and/or read-only memory (“ROM”), which can beprogrammable, flash-updateable, and/or the like. The computationalsystem 1200 might also include a communications subsystem 1230, whichcan include, without limitation, a modem, a network card (wireless orwired), an infrared communication device, a wireless communicationdevice, and/or chipset (such as a Bluetooth® device, a 802.6 device, aWi-Fi device, a WiMA12 device, cellular communication facilities, etc.),and/or the like. The communications subsystem 1230 may permit data to beexchanged with a network (such as the network described below, to nameone example) and/or any other devices described herein. In manyembodiments, the computational system 1200 will further include aworking memory 1235, which can include a RAM or ROM device, as describedabove.

The computational system 1200 also can include software elements, shownas being currently located within the working memory 1235, including anoperating system 1240 and/or other code, such as one or more applicationprograms 1245, which may include computer programs of the invention,and/or may be designed to implement methods of the invention and/orconfigure systems of the invention, as described herein. For example,one or more procedures described with respect to the method(s) discussedabove might be implemented as code and/or instructions executable by acomputer (and/or a processor within a computer). A set of theseinstructions and/or codes might be stored on a computer-readable storagemedium, such as the storage device(s) 1225 described above.

In some cases, the storage medium might be incorporated within thecomputational system 1200 or in communication with the computationalsystem 1200. In other embodiments, the storage medium might be separatefrom the computational system 1200 (e.g., a removable medium, such as acompact disc, etc.), and/or provided in an installation package, suchthat the storage medium can be used to program a general-purposecomputer with the instructions/code stored thereon. These instructionsmight take the form of executable code, which is executable by thecomputational system 1200 and/or might take the form of source and/orinstallable code, which, upon compilation and/or installation on thecomputational system 1200 (e.g., using any of a variety of generallyavailable compilers, installation programs, compression/decompressionutilities, etc.), then takes the form of executable code.

Numerous specific details are set forth herein to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the claimed subject matter. However, those skilled inthe art will understand that the claimed subject matter may be practicedwithout these specific details. In other instances, methods,apparatuses, or systems that would be known by one of ordinary skillhave not been described in detail so as not to obscure claimed subjectmatter.

Some portions are presented in terms of algorithms or symbolicrepresentations of operations on data bits or binary digital signalsstored within a computing system memory, such as a computer memory.These algorithmic descriptions or representations are examples oftechniques used by those of ordinary skill in the data processing art toconvey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. Analgorithm is a self-consistent sequence of operations or similarprocessing leading to a desired result. In this context, operations orprocessing involves physical manipulation of physical quantities.Typically, although not necessarily, such quantities may take the formof electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred,combined, compared, or otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenientat times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to suchsignals as bits, data, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms,numbers, numerals, or the like. It should be understood, however, thatall of these and similar terms are to be associated with appropriatephysical quantities and are merely convenient labels. Unlessspecifically stated otherwise, it is appreciated that throughout thisspecification discussions utilizing terms such as “processing,”“computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” and “identifying” or the likerefer to actions or processes of a computing device, such as one or morecomputers or a similar electronic computing device or devices, thatmanipulate or transform data represented as physical, electronic, ormagnetic quantities within memories, registers, or other informationstorage devices, transmission devices, or display devices of thecomputing platform.

The system or systems discussed herein are not limited to any particularhardware architecture or configuration. A computing device can includeany suitable arrangement of components that provides a resultconditioned on one or more inputs. Suitable computing devices includemultipurpose microprocessor-based computer systems accessing storedsoftware that programs or configures the computing system from ageneral-purpose computing apparatus to a specialized computing apparatusimplementing one or more embodiments of the present subject matter. Anysuitable programming, scripting, or other type of language orcombinations of languages may be used to implement the teachingscontained herein in software to be used in programming or configuring acomputing device.

Embodiments of the methods disclosed herein may be performed in theoperation of such computing devices. The order of the blocks presentedin the examples above can be varied—for example, blocks can bere-ordered, combined, and/or broken into sub-blocks. Certain blocks orprocesses can be performed in parallel.

The use of “adapted to” or “configured to” herein is meant as open andinclusive language that does not foreclose devices adapted to orconfigured to perform additional tasks or steps. Additionally, the useof “based on” is meant to be open and inclusive, in that a process,step, calculation, or other action “based on” one or more recitedconditions or values may, in practice, be based on additional conditionsor values beyond those recited. Headings, lists, and numbering includedherein are for ease of explanation only and are not meant to belimiting.

While the present subject matter has been described in detail withrespect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated thatthose skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of theforegoing, may readily produce alterations to, variations of, andequivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, it should be understoodthat the present disclosure has been presented for-purposes of examplerather than limitation, and does not preclude inclusion of suchmodifications, variations, and/or additions to the present subjectmatter as would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

That which is claimed:
 1. A riflescope comprising: a housing; an ocularsystem disposed within the housing, the ocular system comprising one ormore lenses; a reticle disposed within the housing and viewable throughthe ocular system; an adjustment knob coupled with the housing and thereticle, the adjustment knob configured to move the reticle; a positionencoder configured to provide position data representing a relativeposition of the reticle relative to at least a portion of theriflescope; a display system providing a display viewable through theocular system; a memory having ballistic information stored therein; anda processor coupled with the memory, the position encoder, and thedisplay system, the processor configured to: determine an adjustmentvalue based on the position data and the ballistic information; andprovide the adjustment value to the display system for display such thatthe adjustment value is viewable through the ocular system.
 2. Theriflescope according to claim 1, wherein the display system displays theadjustment value.
 3. The riflescope according to claim 1, wherein thedisplay system comprises a digital display and a mirror.
 4. Theriflescope according to claim 1, wherein the display system comprises adigital display and a beam splitter.
 5. The riflescope according toclaim 1, wherein the display system comprises an organic light emittingdiode.
 6. The riflescope according to claim 1, further comprising a userinterface, and wherein the memory includes a plurality of ballisticinformation corresponding to a plurality of projectiles, wherein theuser interface provides an interface for a user to select a projectileof the plurality of projectiles and the corresponding ballisticinformation is used to determine the adjustment value.
 7. The riflescopeaccording to claim 1, wherein the ballistic information comprisesballistic information for the riflescope and a projectile.
 8. Theriflescope according to claim 1, wherein the ballistic informationcomprises a lookup table of adjustment values corresponding to reticleposition data.
 9. The riflescope according to claim 1, wherein theadjustment value is determined by the processor in real time.
 10. Theriflescope according to claim 1, further comprising an atmosphericsensor that is configured to provide atmospheric data to the processor,wherein the processor is configured to determine the adjustment valuebased on the atmospheric data.
 11. The riflescope according to claim 1,further comprising a sensor that is configured to provide an inclinationangle, an azimuth angle, and/or a cant angle, wherein the processor isconfigured to determine the adjustment value based on the inclinationangle, an azimuth angle, and/or a cant angle.
 12. The riflescopeaccording to claim 1, wherein the adjustment knob is either a windageadjustment knob or an elevation adjustment knob.
 13. The riflescopeaccording to claim 1, wherein the position encoder comprises a rotaryencoder coupled with the adjustment knob, and wherein the position datacomprises rotation data.
 14. The riflescope according to claim 1,wherein the position encoder comprises a linear encoder coupled with theadjustment knob, and wherein the position data comprises linear data.15. The riflescope according to claim 1, wherein the reticle isdisplayed at a first focal plane and the display system provides adisplay near a second focal plane of the rifle scope.
 16. The riflescopeaccording to claim 1, wherein the reticle is displayed at a second focalplane and the display system provides a display near the second focalplane of the rifle scope.
 17. A method for providing display informationwithin a riflescope, the method comprising: receiving projectileballistic information; receiving at a processor a reticle position data;determining at the processor an adjustment value based on the reticleposition data and the ballistic information; and displaying theadjustment value through an eyepiece of the riflescope.
 18. The methodaccording to claim 17, further comprising: receiving a selection of aprojectile from a plurality of projectiles; and selecting the ballisticinformation from a plurality of ballistic information based on theselection of the projectile.
 19. The method according to claim 17,wherein the ballistic information comprises ballistic information forthe riflescope and a projectile.
 20. The method according to claim 17,wherein the ballistic information comprises the lookup table ofadjustment values corresponding to reticle position data.
 21. The methodaccording to claim 17, wherein the reticle position data comprisesrotation data associated with a rotary encoder.
 22. The method accordingto claim 17, further comprising: receiving atmospheric data from anatmospheric sensor; and adjusting the adjustment value based on theatmospheric data.
 23. A riflescope comprising: a housing; an ocularsystem disposed within the housing, the ocular system comprising one ormore lenses including an eyepiece; a reticle disposed within the housingand viewable through the ocular system; an elevation adjustment knobcoupled with the housing and the reticle, the adjustment knob configuredto move the reticle, the elevation adjustment knob comprising a positionencoder that provides rotary data corresponding with a rotation or theelevation adjustment knob; a display system providing a display viewablethrough the eyepiece; a memory having a plurality of ballisticinformation corresponding to each of a plurality of projectiles; a userinterface; and a processor coupled with the memory, the positionencoder, and the display system, the processor configured to: receive anindication of a projectile of the plurality of projectiles; selectballistic information based on the indication of the projectile;determine an elevation adjustment value based on the rotary data and theballistic information; and provide the elevation adjustment value to thedisplay system for display.